Pressed But Not Crushed
I love music and music has always been a big part of my life. From listening to tapes in our van on family drives, to playing in a rock band and eventually leading worship in church. Music has been a special things for me. In addition I find that God speaks to me through music, often I will come across a song that just seems to hit in the perfect way. While in the hospital music is what brought much encouragement especially during the night time when I would feel especially low.Lately there has been a song stuck in my head, so much so that it became the inspiration for me starting this blog. The song is...
Trading My Sorrows - by Darrell Evans
Lyrics
I'm trading my sorrows.I'm trading my shame.I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.I'm trading my sickness.I'm trading my pain.I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord (x3) AmenI am pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandonedStruck down but not destroyedI am blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endureAnd his joy's going to be my strengthThough the sorrow may last for the night His joy comes with the morning.
It is the lyrics: "I am pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned. Struck down but not destroyed. I am blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure. And his joy's going to be my strength" that have really spoken to my heart. I love the honesty in these lyrics. They do not deny that sometimes we are "pressed" which can mean pressed down, squeezed or compressed.
There are things in life that make me feel pressed down in fact as I'm writing this post I'm feeling "pressed" but the beautiful reminder is that even though we feel pressed... we are not crushed.
The uplifting part is when it says his joy's going to be my strength"
Joy is a tremendous source of strength. If a person is down and discouraged, almost any obstacle or hardship is enough to incapacitate them. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). This can be true for anyone. “Emotional energy” is extremely powerful. This is why coaches give motivational speeches to their players. A person who is “up” will accomplish far more than a person who is “down.” Joy provides strength. A person suffering from a physical ailment or pain but who is filled with joy will survive much better than a discouraged person with the same condition. Joy can even make a person forget his pain and limitations. In fact, it is better to have joy in suffering than despair in ease and luxury. Joy is available in a variety of places. A person can receive joy from other individuals and from circumstances. The primary difference between the joy that is provided by people and circumstances and the joy that comes from the Lord is in consistency and duration. People will fail. Circumstances will change. A person whose joy and strength are from these sources will inevitably be inconsistent. That person will be up and down, riding the waves of alternating joy and sadness, encouragement and discouragement. However, when a person’s source of joy and the strength it provides is the Lord, then they can be even-keeled and constant, just as God is constant. Many verses in Scripture speak to the joy that God provides His people: Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”1 Peter 1:8–9: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”Psalm 5:11: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”Isaiah 41:10 does not mention the word joy but does admonish Israel not to be dismayed, which is a similar concept: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Isaiah 40:30–31 deals with the similar theme of hope: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
When Israel (then) or Christians (today) come to realize how much God has done for them and what great things He has in store, the result is joy, and that joy will produce strength.
Furthermore, one of the things that God has in store for His people is strength to endure hard times. He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). As we focus on God’s presence and promises, our joy and strength will increase. As we focus on fallible and fickle people and uncertain circumstances, our joy will decrease, and our strength will also decrease.